Baby-jumper.



C. R. PATTEN.

BABY JUMPER. APPLICATION FILED Nov,21. l9l6.

Patented June 12, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

C. R. PATTEN;

BABY IUMPER APPLICATION FILED NOV: 21

' Patented J1me12,1917.

2 SHEETSf-SHEET 2.

EJ'NKTE TATES PATENT @FFICE.

CLARENCE R. PATTEN, OF TACOMA, OHIO, ASSIGNOR T0 0. R. PATTEN & 00., OF WAVERLY, VIRGINIA.

BABY-JUNIPER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 12, 1917.

Application filed November 21, 1916. Serial No. 132,658.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLARENCE R. PATTEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Tacoma, in the county of Belmont and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Baby-Jumpers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to baby jumpers, and has as its object to provide a device of this class which will be comfortable and which will permit maximum freedom of movement of the body without any likelihood of the child falling from the pocket of the jumper.

The device embodying the present inven tion is of that general type embodying a frame from which is suspended a flexible pocket into which the child is to be placed, the frame being suspended by means of chains or straps from a suitable ceiling connection. In one device of this kind the frame is in the nature of an annulus which, however, is formed with a gap normally closed by a sliding bolt, the gap being provided in order that the annulus may be introduced into the hem which is provided at the margin of the pocket. In this particular structure the formation of the gap in the annulus so weakens the annulus, that the same is likely to buckle and become so distorted as to soon render the device useless. The formation of the gap in the annulus is, as above stated, for the purpose of permitting the annulus being inserted into the hem of the pocket, the hem being permanently closed. The fact will beappreciated that inasmuch as a permanently closed hem is formed at the margin ofthe pocket it is not only necessary to form the annulus with a gap for the purpose just stated, but-it is also necessary in removing the pocket from the annulus to, at the same time, disconnect the suspension chains or straps from the annulus rendering it likely that the'latter will be misplaced or lost or will be permitted to remain where it will be likely to be stepped upon. Also it is necessary to exercise care in again assemblingihje chains or straps with the annulus when the pocket is again applied to the annulus. In consideration of the foregoing the invention aims to provide a device of this class in which the frame or annulus is integral and continuous through out and is therefore not liable to buckle or become otherwise distorted in use.

I or straps.

The invention further contemplates providing the pocket with a marginal hem which is ini" tially open and which may be closed after disposal about the frame or annulus, and as a result of so forming the hem the pocket may be readily and quickly removed from the frame and applied thereto without the. necessity of slowly and cautiously inserting the frame into the hem. Furthermore, due to theprovision of an open hem and means for closing the same about the frame or annulus, the pocket may be removed and ap plied without the necessity of in any Way disturbing the connections of the suspension chains or straps with the frame and, consequently, the frame may be left suspended at the lower ends of the said chains or straps after the pocket has been removed from the frame and the frame will, of course, be in this manner held ready for the application of a new pocket thereto.

In the instance of the device above referred to which is provided with a permanently closed hem, the hem is formed at intervals With slits or openings through which bails may project, said bails being engaged with the annulus and serving as connections for the lower ends of the suspension chains In that structure therefore the connections between the suspension chains or straps and the said annulus are exposed and it is extremely likely that a child occupying the jumper will have its fingers caught in the said bails. In view of the disadvantage presented by the structure just referred to the present invention aims to so construct and close the hem at the points of location of the connections between the suspension chains and the frame or annulus, as to provide pockets for the said connecting means which pockets will receive and cover the said connections and prevent the child having its fingers caught in the connections.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device embodying the present invention in condition for use;

Fig. 2 is a similar view illustrating the pocket, however, about to be applied to the frame or annulus;

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse sectiona view t-l'u'ough the device;

Fig. 4: is a view looking at the inner side of the pocket at the point of location of one of the connections between the annulus and one of the suspension chains;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 55 of Fig. 3.

In the drawings, the frame for the pocket is indicated in general by the numeral 1 and while the said frame is here illustrated as annular in form it may be understood that it may assume some other shape if desired.

In any event the frame is integral and continuous throughout, or, in other words, is entirely free from gaps or breaks. The frame is supported at the lower ends of suspension chains or straps which are indicated by the numeral 2 and which are connected at their upper ends to any suitable suspension means which, as it forms no part of the present invention,is neither shown nor described. At the lower end of each chain there is provided a connecting link 3 which is permanently connected with the frame 1, and the said links are equi-distantly disposed about the frame 1 at the time the pocket is assembled with the said frame.

The pocket above referred to is indicated in general by the numeral 4 and the same is provided with the usual openings 5 for the passage of the childs limbs, the said pocket being made of any suitable flexible material and being so constructed as to sag toward its center from all sides. The pocket 4 is provided with an annular series of eyelets 6 which eyelets are located relatively close to the margin of the pocket, and the pocket is further provided with a similar series of eyelets 7 spaced inwardly a further distance from the margin of the pocket than the eyelets 6. By reference to Fig. 2 it will be observed that the corresponding eyelets of the two series are located opposite each other, or it may be stated in other words, that there'is provided an annular series of pairs of eyelets. The material of the pocket between the two series of eyelets is designed to constitute the hem heretofore referred to and it will be apparent by reference particularly to Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings that the material of the pocket is to be folded along a line extending between the two series of eyelets to form the said hem, as indicated by the numeral 8 and that the annulus 1 is to be received within this fold or hem. In order to close the hem thus formed a drawstring 9 is threaded through the registering eyelets in the manner shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. In threading the drawstring through the eyelets, the string is first threaded through a registering pair of eyelets, as indicated by the numeral 10 in Fig. 5 and then'has its strands threaded back and forth through the other registering pairs of eyelets throughout the series of eyelets, one of the strands being again passed through the first-mentioned pairs of eyelets and the other one of the strands being finally passed through the registering pair of eyelets neXt adjacent the firstmentioned pair and the said strands being then tied in a bow-knot, as indicated at 11.

By reference to Figs. 3- and 4 it will be observed that when the drawstring is tightened the material of the hem will be drawn about the links 3 so as to form small pockets 12 housing the said links. As before stated, these pockets 12 serve to prevent the'child catching its fingers in the links 3 which will be likely to result in injury.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. In a device of the class described, a frame member, suspension elements, means connecting the said elements with the said frame member, and a pocket having a hem receiving the said frame member, said hem having'portions housing and covering said connection.

2. In a device of the class described, a continuous integral frame member, suspension elements, connecting means carried thereby and permanently connected with the said frame member, a pocket having an open hem to receive the said frame memher, and means for closing the hem, the said hem having portions housing and covering the said connection.

3.In a device of the class described, a continuous integral frame member, a pockethaving its marginal portion folded inwardly over the sides of the frame member to form a hem receiving the said frame member and with the edge of the material forming the pocket located within the pocket, and means for supportingthe frame including suspension members extending at their lower ends into the hem and connected 7 to the said frame. i

a. In a device ofthe class described, a continuous frame member, a pocket having its marginal portion folded over the sides of the frame member to form a hem receiving'the said frame member, and means for supporting the frame member including suspension members extending at their lower ends into the hem and permanently connected to the said frame.

In testimony whereof I afiiX my signature.

CLARENCE R. PATTEN. [1,. s.] 7

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner'of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

